By Mitch Weber
“She was daddy’s princess with an attitude,” said her mother, Sharen Lucero. Her father, Lee Lucero, remembers how her presence could instantly brighten a room. “Her smile would light up a room,” he said. “She had a gift for Down syndrome or special needs kids. It was her goal in life to be a special … Continued
By Mitch Weber
At nine years old, Owen Cigich has a larger-than-life personality and enough energy to keep everyone around him smiling. He loves laughing, cup stacking, swimming and spending time with his treasured cat stuffie, Cinnamon Roll. He is also building a following online through his YouTube channel, @ONEANDONLYOWEN. With help from his parents, Kathleen and Ben, … Continued
By Mitch Weber
When Josue Mendoza was born, his parents faced the unthinkable. “After delivery, they flew him to Colorado, and that’s where we found out it was his kidneys,” said his mom, Judith. “They said that he was going to be lucky if he only lived like 24 hours.” Josue was diagnosed with end-stage renal disease, along … Continued
By Mitch Weber
At just 16 years old, Titus Woods has already shown what true courage looks like. In March 2022, the high school junior and soccer player was diagnosed with liver cancer. What began as a typical season of school and sports quickly turned into doctor appointments, surgery and chemotherapy. Titus underwent surgery to remove part of … Continued
By Mitch Weber
Viola Remington was known for her sense of humor and the sparkle in her eyes. She and her husband, Bob, shared a life full of playful banter and jokes. She loved her career as a nurse and the opportunity to help others. Viola was a leader at her church and in the community. When Bob … Continued
By Mitch Weber
From the time he could talk, Jake Reed knew what he wanted to be. Becoming a police officer wasn’t just a goal, it was a calling he followed with focus and heart. As a kid, Jake took part in youth police programs and went on ride-alongs whenever he could. Law enforcement officers knew him by … Continued
By Mitch Weber
Employee Spotlight: Suyen Silvestri, Laboratory Technologist III Behind every successful transplant is a team of dedicated professionals working with precision, compassion and care. Suyen Silvestri, Laboratory Technologist III at Midwest Transplant Network, is one of those people whose work often happens behind the scenes but makes life-changing impacts every day. With more than 20 years … Continued
By Mitch Weber
Midwest Transplant Network is proud to share November’s Story of Hope, honoring the life, spirit and generosity of Monroe Burgess. Those who knew Monroe describe him as smart, caring and charismatic, with a deep love of science and a strong work ethic. His passion for organ, eye and tissue donation shaped both his career and … Continued
By Mitch Weber
When you meet Midwest Transplant Network System Support Analyst II Matt Giangrosso, one of the first things you notice is his calm focus. It’s a quality that’s served him well across very different worlds, from maintaining the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber at Whiteman Air Force Base to troubleshooting computer systems that keep MTN connected every … Continued
By Mitch Weber
The youngest in his family, Owen Linder was known for his big personality. He was funny, loud, and loved to dance. Rainy days meant adventures with his dad, and superheroes were among his favorite things. Owen became an organ and eye donor at the age of two. “It was probably the best outcome considering the … Continued